Why do I want to use an Android phone or tablet to take time-lapse photos instead of traditional digital camera that can provide better image quality/resolution?

1) Lower cost

Given the rapid replacement cycle of the Android smartphones, with the latest Android phones being outdated in 3-6 months, I am sure many of you have a perfectly functional old Android phones you have just recently retired.. So, it will cost you almost nothing if you simply install our 24/7 time-lapse photography application on your retired Android phone, put it somewhere and start snapping time-lapse photos for fun. Since it is an outdated phone, the risk that it is stolen is low and I bet you won't panic or really care that much if someone actually come and steal it while it is doing its job... Furthermore, it won't break your heart or the bank if the out-dated phone is damaged in the process either. As a bonus, since you are taking photos, even a phone with 2MP or 3MP camera would be sufficient to allow you to capture images with sufficiently high resolution to create high definition, e.g. 720p and 1080p time-lapse videos. If you really don't have an old Android phone around, it won't cost you much to snap one up on ebay or similar. Either that or you can retire your current Android phone for time-lapse photography and get a new phone ;)

2) Convenience

These days, almost everyone carries a smartphone and it is likely that you will carry an Android powered smartphone everywhere you go. So, if you decided one day that you would like to take time-lapse photo when you arrive at a particular location, you can simply download and install our 24/7 Time Lapse application on the spot, then just leave it there snapping all the photos you need. You can start taking time-lapse photo anywhere you go and don't have to remember to carry your expensive and bulky professional camera around.

3) Miniature

When you use a smartphone to take photos, you can create a smaller setup than using traditional professional DSLR digital camera. That means it is easier to transport and it is less conspicuous.

What additional benefits do I get from using an Android smartphone/tablet for time-lapse photography?

1) Anti-theft by using real-time GPS device tracking

These days, only a fool will try to steal a smartphone because you are almost guaranteed to get caught pretty soon. How soon? Well, how about getting caught by the police in less than 10 minutes after the phone is stolen (See more about this unlucky thief here).

If you believe there is a good chance that someone might steal your Android device while it is taking time-lapse photo outdoors, you can protect it by installing GPS tracking applications, so that you can report its location to the police in the event that it is stolen. Many of these GPS tracking applications are free, including Lookout mobile security, avast! Mobile Security, Prey Anti-Theft, Phone Locator - MobiUcare and many more.

2) Remote download/control via 3G/WIFI

Every smartphone these days have 3G/WIFI capability, something that the traditional digital camera will never have. If you would like to remotely download your timelapse photos using your smartphone, make sure your smartphone is internet connected via 3G/WIFI and try to use the applications described here.

3) to be continued....

What else can I do to reduce power consumption other than turning off radios (GSM/WIFI/GPS) and the LCD screen?

1) Record lower resolution images, because higher resolution image will consume more power to write it to sdcard

2) Increase interval between shots, because each shot will consume power

3) Use low-power microSD card, not all microSD card are created equally. Some will consume more power than the others, e.g. a faster higher class microSD card is likely to use less power because it will take less time to write the same amount of data to it. Conduct your own test using our application under identical environment to determine which microSD card uses the least amount of power. This app can be a useful tool to conduct benchmarks on microSD card power consumption. Please let us know your results if you have done benchmarks using this app.

4) Use internal storage instead of external microSD card. Internal storage is known to consume less power than internal microSD card.

247timelapse does not capture any photos when my screen is off, what should I do?

If you try to use 247timelapse on some devices, the incompatibility of our power saving algorithm with the manufacturer's Android implementation means that 247timelapse will not take photo when the screen is off. However, it will take photo with the screen off when it is connected to a power supply or screen on when not connected to power supply. To keep the screen on, simply leave 247timelapse app running in the foreground. To save power when screen is on, you could configure the screen brightness to minimum inside Settings -> General -> Screen brightness. Click here for a list of devices we have tested.